15,000 mile oil from Mobil 1

mark0101

mark0101

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I have been using this oil for all of the cars we have. I change the filter every 5,000 miles and the oil every 10,000 miles. I don't trust it that much to take to 15,000 miles. so, Is it ok to run the car up to 10,000 miles with this oil. I haven't had a problem with it yet but what do you guys think?
 
You can be guinea pig on that experiment. Try it. and when it is time to change the oil, see ho much oil you actually lost. Also, see how black the oil is compared to if you just changed it when the computer warning system comes on.

By the way, how's the 93 running? I miss that car. I missed it so much, that I bought another one :p
 
you guys are nuts....i would never run my oil any more then 5000KM/3000miles...when i change it, its still usually brown/golden.....i also dont spend big bucks on oil i use whatever is in the tank at work i can change my oil 3 times for the cost of expensive synthetic or whatever...
 
I change my oil and Wix filter with Valvoline 5-30 every 3500 mi religiously. Thinking of changing to a motorcraft filter to save a few bucks. they are good filters too.
 
To the OP: It's just me, but I would NEVER EVER let a car go 10K miles between oil changes...EVER. I don't care what the oil manufacturer says. That's just rediculous. The most I've ever gone between oil changes is 5K miles. And I felt kinda bad about that. 3K is the max for me. I don't use expensive oils either. I'd rather keep fresh oil in the engine and save a few bucks than pay a premium and still change it every 3K miles. It doesn't make financial sense. I'm getting ready to change the oil in the '97 LSC today. 6 quarts of Havoline 5W30 and a Motorcraft FL820S filter. But if you want to try it, be my guest. And keep us posted on how it works out.
 
Ugh, I would never do that. I change the oil when the car says to change it. Never really paid attention to what the mileage is when it says to do it though. Ive done a half dozen changes in 20K though. I use Mobil1 oil and every time its been dark. Not thick or anything but just dark.
 
Well I guess I will be switching back to 5,000 miles. Honestly though, the oil is about the same color as if I were to change it at 5K. I did it to the Conti, TC and now my 97 MK8 needs an oil change after 10K. and they all ran fine (Maybe I will my a video of the oil that comes out). I just thought it would be ok since it is from "Mobil 1" and it is fully synthetic. I will be going back to my 5K routine though.

LaserSVT said:
Ugh, I would never do that. I change the oil when the car says to change it. Never really paid attention to what the mileage is when it says to do it though. Ive done a half dozen changes in 20K though. I use Mobil1 oil and every time its been dark. Not thick or anything but just dark.
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See I tried that once, and it didn't tell me to change my oil at 5K (when I used to change it at 5K). I think it went up to 6.5K before it told me to change it. Off course I changed at 5K then but I just wanted to see when it would tell me. I read in the book, that it can go up to 7.5K before it gives the message.

Also when you reset it, do you have it on 100% or something else?

GMAN said:

By the way, how's the 93 running? I miss that car. I missed it so much, that I bought another one :p
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Its still running strong, just the AC is not working. the compressor keeps cycling on and off.
 
Yeah, I reset at 100%. I think it bases intervals on temps and driving habbits. Mine seems to give me 3500-4000 miles.
 
The oil change computer thingy is nice, but I never pay one bit of attention to it. It's been drilled into my brain since I was old enough to hold a wrench by my dad, both my granfathers, and every other member of my family who has ever worked on a car that you change your oil every 3K miles or less. No exceptions. So that's what I do. But I have to admit, that's "old school" since engines are built with much tighter tolerances now and oil is light years better than it was a few decades ago. Bit I'd rather be safe than sorry.:)
 
Why don't you spend 25 dollars and get a used oil analysis done?

I've ran Mobil 1 to 10K miles (0w-40 European Car formula) and still had a TBN of 3.2 left over.

I've also read a paper by DuPont that says older oil (to a point) lubricates better than fresh oil. I'll see if I can find it somewhere.

Nowadays, it's not so much the additives breaking down in the oil that cause the oil to stop lubrication properly, it's the foreign matter in it that does. Long as you have a good oil filtration system on your engine, the oil is likely good for 15K miles.
 
The next time you change the oil, take a sample and have it analyzed by Blackstone Labs. The report they provide will tell you everything you need to know about the condition of the oil, as well as the the wear of the metals inside the engine.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

I've had oil analysis done on two of my Mark VIII's and on my mini-van. I use Mobil-1 5W-30 exclusively. On my 97, they recommended trying an 8500 mile oil change, as the oil still had active additives after 7600+ miles.

Here's the report they provided for my 97 after analyzing two samples.

Since I take care of 6 cars, it got to be too much of a PITA to remember which car needed a change at what mileage, so I just use the oil change meter built into the Mark VIII's. However, it's good to know that there's still life left in the oil, even when the meter tells me I need to change the oil.

97analysis02.jpg
 
Hmmm. Interesting. I may have to do that. I've noticed on both my Marks that when I change the oil, it always comes out black. Even changing oil and filter every 3K miles. I may just have to send a sample out for analysis. I may learn something about my engine that I didn't know. Thanks for the info.
 
Mobil 1 is the chit 200k on my engine just replaced head gasket and you could not fell a lip on the cylinders I am the second owner and new the first owner he ran nothing but Mobil 1
 
i have always changed it around 4k and always use synthetic from castrol, my motor is super clean on the inside, i can't say i would ever go to 15k tho
 
Oil does not wear out, only gets dirty, with filter changes it can go indefinitely. I am pro synthetic but do feel that regular changes are the best. I use syn. in the winter, (easy start and easy on the engine), then the cheaper stuff in the summer and change it at 3-4000. Oil will look black or dark on the drain. Normal. It should be that way. It is doing it's job. The reason to change the oil is that the acids are harmful to the bearings and other parts. Especially to engines that are not driven daily and set for long periods. Always change the oil before letting a motor sit for a long time.
 
What's the consensus on cars that are driven fewer miles per year? I average about 7500 miles a year, so it can be 4 - 5 months before I even hit 3k. I've been changing it every two months regardless, but I did go three months once. Most of my driving is a 20 minute commute to work and that's only three days a week. It's mostly 45 MPH with about 6 stop lights.

I guess I should just count myself lucky and continue what I'm doing, huh?
 
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